This content originally appeared on DEV Community and was authored by Kevin Suchetan
If you're running Ubuntu in VirtualBox on Windows and want to SSH into it from your Windows terminal - this guide walks you through everything clearly.
This is perfect if you want to:
Practice Linux server administration
Access your VM like a remote machine
Simulate multiple user sessions
Run commands from Windows without using the VM window
Let’s get started.
Step-1. Install OpenSSH Server Inside the Ubuntu VM
- Open your Ubuntu terminal and switch to root (optional but convenient):
sudo -i
- Install the SSH server:
apt install openssh-server
- Check whether SSH server is running:
systemctl status ssh
If you see "active (running)", you're good.
Step-2. Enable Password Authentication (Optional but Needed Here)
SSH sometimes disables password login by default.
- Open the SSH server config:
nano /etc/ssh/sshd_config
- Find this line:
#PasswordAuthentication no
- Change it to:
PasswordAuthentication yes
- Save and exit(Ctrl X and then 'y'), then restart SSH:
systemctl restart ssh
Step-3. Set Up VirtualBox Port Forwarding (The Key Step)
- Your VM is behind VirtualBox's NAT network, which means:
- It can access the internet
- But outside machines (like Windows) cannot access the VM directly
- To allow SSH traffic from Windows to Ubuntu VM, we create a forwarding rule.
In VirtualBox:
i. Select your Ubuntu VM
ii. Settings > Network > Adapter 1
iii. Attached to: NAT
iv. Click Advanced > Port Forwarding
- Add rule:
| Name | Protocol | Host IP | Host Port | Guest IP | Guest Port |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SSH | TCP | 127.0.0.1 | 2222 | 22 |
(Guest IP can be left blank - VirtualBox fills it automatically)
- This tells VirtualBox: "When Windows sends traffic to 127.0.0.1:2222, forward it to the VM's port 22."
Step-4. Check if Windows Has the SSH Client
- Windows 10 and 11 already ship with OpenSSH client.
Use Windows terminal to Verify:
ssh -V
If you get a version number, it's installed.
If not, enable it:
Settings > System > Optional features > Add a feature > "OpenSSH Client"No firewall changes are usually needed since outbound connections are allowed.
Step-5. SSH From Windows Into the Ubuntu VM
- Open Windows Terminal or CMD and run:
ssh -p 2222 <your-ubuntu-username>@127.0.0.1
- Enter your Ubuntu user password - and you're inside the VM from Windows!
Wrap-Up
With just NAT port forwarding and a few configuration tweaks, your Windows machine can SSH into your Ubuntu VM exactly like a real remote server. Perfect for learning Linux, DevOps, or cloud workflows.
If you found this helpful, drop a comment - happy hacking!
This content originally appeared on DEV Community and was authored by Kevin Suchetan
Kevin Suchetan | Sciencx (2025-11-17T19:00:37+00:00) How to SSH Into a VirtualBox Ubuntu VM From Windows – Password Authentication (Step-By-Step Guide). Retrieved from https://www.scien.cx/2025/11/17/how-to-ssh-into-a-virtualbox-ubuntu-vm-from-windows-password-authentication-step-by-step-guide-2/
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